Meurtres et pépites de chocolat

The focus on baking and community feels heartwarming, but I wondered if it sometimes overshadowed the mystery itself. Did the cozy elements make the darker moments stand out more?

Including actual recipes is such a unique touch—did Joanne Fluke have a background in baking, or was this a deliberate choice to make the cozy more immersive?

The community interactions feel slow and deliberate, which suits the cozy vibe, but did anyone find that it affected the suspense or kept them hooked?